The tide has certainly turned in New York. A week ago, when the Jets and Giants were coming off wins in Week 5 over Miami and Green Bay respectively, the thought was, “Hey this is a great start. Maybe these teams can make something of this season.”
Now, after the Jets throttled the Packers to improve to 4-2, and the Giants squeaked past the Ravens to improve to 5-1, the thought is “why not us?”
And why not? The Jets and Giants are tracking in the playoff picture as Week 7 commences. The media is taking notice as everyone is starting to jump on the respective bandwagons, many backpedaling from their predictions of doom.
But here — as we are in the Halloween season — is the trick. Both the Jets and Giants have to avoid the letdown.
Both teams face potential pitfalls this week. The Jets head to Denver — a city they almost never win in — to face the hapless, and Russell Wilson-less Denver Broncos on Sunday. Many expect the Jets to win this game; some think it won’t even be close.
The Giants, on the other hand, head to Jacksonville to face a very prickly Jaguars team. Even though Jacksonville is 2-4, former Super Bowl winning head coach Doug Pederson is on the sideline, and Trevor Lawrence is still a promising, developing quarterback. He was first overall for a reason.
Trap games are never easy, no matter the circumstance. But this will be a week where both Robert Saleh and Brian Dabol will really have to keep their teams focused.
Let’s make some Picks!!
NY Jets (4-2) (-1.5) @ Denver Broncos (2-4)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 16: Breece Hall #20 of the New York Jet avoids a tackle by Rasul Douglas #29 of the Green Bay Packers during a game at Lambeau Field on October 16, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Jets defeated the Packers 27-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
This is a tricky spot for the Jets. They come into the game with the distraction of Elijah Moore’s recent trade request hoovering over the club as well as raised expectations. They hit the road against a dangerous opponent who has struggled and will be going with its back-up quarterback Brett Rypien, with Russell Wilson out with a hamstring injury.
And in case you are wondering Rypien faced the Jets before in his only career NFL start and won 34-28 two years ago.
This is a different Jets team. They are better defensively, and can pound the rock with the best of them with Breece Hall and Michael Carter.
If Russell Wilson were starting, the Broncos would be the pick to upset a Jets team walking on cloud 9. Without him, I don’t see Denver doing much against the Jets front seven.
PICK: JETS 23 – BRONCOS 17
NY Giants (5-1) @ Jacksonville (2-4) (-3.0)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 16: Leonard Williams #99 of the New York Giants celebrates with teammates Tomon Fox #49 and Nick McCloud #44 after he recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium on October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Believe it or not, the Jaguars are favored by three points in this one. The Giants are 5-1 — even if they don’t have a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball outside of Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. This is a well coached Giants football team. From Brian Dabol to defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, they have the Giants clicking on all cylinders.
The Jaguars are not to be slept on, they have talent. It starts with quarterback Trevor Lawrence the number one pick in the 2021 draft. He is slowly improving week by week. He has nine touchdowns and four picks this year. If the Giants can get pressure on him, they’ll have a chance. But they must maintain pressure on him throughout.
The Giants will be hamstrung a bit with injuries to Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney out of this game at wide receiver. Therefore it is even more important for Jones to use his legs and hand it off to the league’s leading rusher in Barkley.
PICK:GIANTS 26 – JAGUARS 25
Detroit Lions (1-4) @ Dallas Cowboys (4-2) (-6.5)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 16: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the field prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 16, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Yes, the Lions are better than their record indicates. They lost three games by four points our less. Their last showing against New England two weeks ago, they were shutout 29-0. This is by all means a young team with a lot to prove. They’ll have a tough time in Big D as Dak Presoctt makes his return to the lineup after he fracutred his thumb in week 1.
Expect Prescott to play well and for Zeke Elliot to go off.
PICK: COWBOYS 34 – LIONS 24Kansas City Chiefs (4-2) (-1.0) @ San Francisco 49ers (3-3)
KANSAS CITY, MO – OCTOBER 16: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs scrambles against the Buffalo Bills at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
A rematch of Super Bowl LIV, which Kansas City won 31-20 three years ago. While some faces have changed, the main cast of characters are the same: Patrick Mahomes; Jimmy Garapolo; Travis Kelce; Nick Bosa; Andy Reid; Kyle Shanahan.
You know the names.
The Chiefs look to rebound from their frustrating 24-20 loss to Buffalo last week, and will face a stiff test from this 49ers defense, which is the best in the NFL in points allowed. It is a fascinating match-up. San Fran also hopes to get Bosa and Trent Williams back this week.
The key will be turnovers. Can KC get enough pressure on Jimmy G to force him into the kind of mistakes he made against them in the Super Bowl? That will be key. Also expect Mahomes to find some holes in the Niners D come the second half.
PICK: CHIEFS 27 – 49ers 24
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-4) @ Miami Dolphins (3-3)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 16: Mike Gesicki #88 of the Miami Dolphins reacts against the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
The Dolphins are desperate. They get Tua Tagovailoa back this week in a must win after a three-game losing streak. It will be interesting to see how Tagovailoa responds after suffering a very scary concussion in Week 3 at Cincinnati.On the flip side, the Steelers will start Kenny Picket under center after he left last week’s win against Tampa Bay with a concussion. He cleared concussion protocol and will play.
This match-up will be about turnovers, and chances are it will be a mistake fest.
PICK: DOLPHINS 21 – STEELERS 16
Chicago Bears (2-4) @ New England Patriots (3-3) (-7.5)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 09: David Andrews #60 of the New England Patriots high fives Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots during pregame against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium on October 09, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
Is Bailey Zappe the new Tom Brady? Is Bailey Zappe related to Tom Brady? Is Baliey Zappe actually Tom Brady?
Who is Bailey Zappe? We don’t know, but the rookie who nobody heard of could end up starting this week for New England. And there is no reason to take him out if you are Bill Belichick. Zappe has completed 72 percent of his passes, thrown four touchdowns and one pick. The Patriots are 2-0 with him under center.
Mac Jones might be back this week as he returns from an ankle injury. It’s starting to sound familiar isn’t it?
The Patriots have a first round quarterback, who is coming off an injury, and a virtual unknown back-up who takes the team by storm when his number is called upon.
It can’t be happening again, could it? Belichick would know, he’s been here before. Start Zappe, Bill.
PICK: PATRIOTS 35 – BEARS 16
